Government to build sanatorium for cancer patients in Govandi

Mumbai: In bid to provide relief to cancer patients and their relatives, the state government is going to build a sanatorium in Govandi. The government has identified two buildings, which will have 300 houses for cancer patients and their relatives. 

On Monday, public health minister Dr Deepak Sawant made the revelation while replying to a debate on the facilities provided to the cancer patients in the state. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will take the final decision.     

 Shiv Sena MLA Ulhas Patil moved a calling attention motion on the increasing number of the patients who are suffering from cancer in the state. He stated, “Fifteen lakh new patients are being registered every year. Of these, 8 to 9 lakh are dying due to cancer.”

Dr Sawant said, “Cancer patients in the urban areas are higher than in rural areas. Ninety to 100 persons in 1 lakh people are suffering from cancer in the big metropolis. The situation, however, is good in rural areas where 40 to 50 persons in 1 lakh people are suffering from cancer.”    

He added, “Three hundred  flats in two buildings will be available for the accommodation of cancer patient and their relatives. The food grains will be made available on a subsidised rate. The proposal is under the government’s consideration.”  

Dr Sawant also said that a diagnostic centre would be set up in each district of the state in a phase wise manner. A free diagnostic centre has been in operation in Malvani, Malad.